Reviews

Living the quantified life If you read our review of the Withings Body Cardio smart scale, you know how much I enjoy the fantastic stats it provides. Withings was kind enough to send over some of the other health products…

A different look at outdoor security. Since the Canary is my favorite smart home security camera, I’ve been openly biased toward their brand for a while now. Many of the smart home brands have begun to focus on outdoor cameras…

Great things come in small packages. I hate carrying a bunch of stuff around. I don’t know where this quirk came from, but it grates my nerves to travel, camp, or even commute with a load of bulky and heavy…

Bringing the coffee house home. As per most creatives, we’re big-time coffee drinkers in the Murrell household. When it’s just a quick cup, we used to hit up our trusty Keurig; when there’s more time to savor the process, we…

Check in and check out. Now that I’m in my mid-30s (official grown-up territory), I decided recently that it was time to upgrade my luggage beyond the battle-worn black rectangle I’ve owned since college. I fly quite a bit these…

Stepping up to a healthier lifestyle. My body type in this stage of life is what I lovingly refer to as “skinny fat.” Besides a general lack of muscle definition and a seasonally soft mid-section, I’m generally healthy for a…

The power of touch. We reviewed the Philips Hue system last summer, and have quickly fallen in love with having those awesome smart lights scattered throughout our home. As great as smart bulbs are, though, you’ll quickly realize that its…

Here comes the sun (power). Have you ever thought how many crucial systems in your life rely on electricity? Something as simple as a prolonged power outage or a long camping trip can make you realize how quickly you’ve grown…

Putting the smooth in smoothie. When you think of smart home technology, you probably think exclusively of WiFi connected gadgets and other electronics that are geeky new additions to every day life. The truth is, some of the best innovations…

The delightful intersection of old and new. I will not get into vinyl. I will not get into vinyl. I will not get into vinyl. I’ve been repeating that phrase to myself for years now, but try as I might,…